GET REAL!

 By Phillip Starr

I don't know about you, but I'm really tired of hearing from and seeing pointless articles penned by practitioners of so-called “reality martial arts.” That moniker suggests that there must also be “fantasy-based martial arts” and many of the “reality” crowd would quickly point to traditional martial ways as being just that. Oftentimes, they come up with some fairly creative reasons to lend their position some measure of validity. These include:

• Some “traditional” techniques don't really work “on the street.”

• Nowadays, people fight differently than they did back in the “old days.”

• Training in a proper uniform in a smooth-floored dojo is very different from the conditions under which real self-defense occurs.

• Learning to “control” one's techniques can become a dangerous habit. Practicing control will cause one to subsequently “pull” his punches in an actual encounter.

• If students are never allowed to experience what it's like to get hit, how can they expect to survive a real fight?

• Actual combat is extremely stressful, both physically and mentally. The “lizard brain” concept is pushed to the fore. This idea tells us that because of the mental stress and fear involved in a real encounter, one loses the ability to make fine, precise movements such as striking to various vital points and so on.

  

And so on, ad nauseum. Frankly, it's my opinion that most of the people making such statements have had rather limited experience in traditional martial disciplines, if any at all. Let's look at the aforementioned arguments and see what's inside...

The statement about traditional techniques being useless in actual self-defense is patently absurd. If they are flawed, why would our martial arts forefathers have continued to practice them ? Yeah, I can see a scenario where one of them is confronted by a couple of street-smart thugs. In the midst of the battle, he attempts a technique and is immediately knocked down. “Wow!”, he thinks. “What an ineffective technique! It nearly got me killed! I'm going to continue practicing it everyday!”

Yeah, right. The techniques that were passed down through the generations were forged, tested, and tempered in battle. On the other hand, the ineffective techniques (and I'm sure there were many) didn't make it to the present day because their exponents would have quickly tossed them away after suffering a painful defeat. I imagine a good number of them were killed in battle and took their flawed techniques and tactics with them to their graves.

The claim that traditional techniques don't work in the “real world” is often made by people who haven't trained extensively in the traditional forms and/or who have experienced considerable difficulty with some of the time-honored methods. I remember having a LOT of trouble with several techniques when I was a beginner. I lacked the coordination, balance, and/or muscle tone to perform them correctly. But I believed my teacher, who insisted that these techniques would be essential parts of my personal arsenal and I continued to practice them. Sure, there were times that I considered giving up but then I'd hear his voice in my head and I'd keep at it until I eventually learned how to make them work.

The claim that people fight different nowadays than they did in the past is equally nonsensical. For starters, how could anyone know for sure just how people fought each other back in the day? And the truth is that in so far as personal combat is concerned, people haven't changed much over time. Sure, we now have weapons that didn't exist 500 years ago (such as firearms) but actual hand-to-hand fighting has always been vicious. I daresay that it may have been a bit more brutal in the distant past because law enforcement wasn't quite up to the standards that we enjoy today and lawsuits were for injuries incurred in a fight were pretty much unknown.

I will be the first to agree that training in a nice dojo in a proper practice uniform is substantially different than fighting “in the street.” However, it's well to remember that the practice uniform was designed with two main things in mind...durability and safety. T-shirts don't last long in a class where grappling techniques are taught. It's also a good idea to conduct classes in a safe place where everyone will be sheltered from the elements.

As regards the issue of pulling punches and kicks just short of contact becoming a habit, that's a very old argument that's never managed to hold any water at all. In my fifty-plus years of training and teaching traditional martial arts, I've never known or even heard of anyone who's had this experience. To counter the loss of this argument, many “reality martial arts” advocate permitting students to strike each other with what I consider to be rather excessive contact. This is really quite dangerous and instructors should remember that injured students can't train.

Moreover, beginning students whose physical, mental, or spiritual strength is lacking will soon give up on training altogether. I wonder how many of these “reality martial arts” instructors would happily practice knife-fighting or Japanese fencing with live blades? And how about a combat shooting course!?

And then there's the “lizard brain” argument. If this argument is valid, why is it that soldiers and peace officers are taught to use the small sights front and rear on their weapons? That requires some real concentration, doesn't it? Such people, who are engaged in an occupation that may very well place them in conditions of incredible mental and physical stress, are also taught to perform numerous other tasks that run against the grain of the “lizard brain” argument. How are they able to effect these tasks in the heat of combat? It's because of something called TRAINING and that's exactly why traditional martial arts practitioners do it on a regular basis.

If some people enjoy dressing up like some kind of wannabe commandos and practicing self-defense in their combat boots and camouflage trousers, that's their business. But what they're doing is not what I would call a martial art, per se. There's no real “art” in it.

THE FORGOTTEN KUMITE

 by Phillip Starr

Most of you are likely more than a little familiar with the usual forms of “kumite”, which actually refers to “group practice” rather than freestyle sparring. Certainly, you've practiced both sanbon kumite and ippon kumite (“three-step practice fighting” and “one-step practice fighting”, respectively) many, many times. Both the attack and the defensive maneuver(s) and technique are prearranged; both participants know what's going to happen, they know what's expected of them, and they do their best to execute flawless, perfectly timed technique.

And most of you have also practiced with the newest form of kumite, which is known as “jyu-kumite” (freestyle or unrehearsed practice fighting), wherein both participants are free to move about and do their best to “score” on each other by delivering a strong, controlled technique. It is akin to sparring in the sport of boxing except that the blows do not land with full force, lest the participants injure each other.

There is, however, another member of this kumite family that is rarely mentioned. It was once a common training exercise but over the generations it has been forgotten or brushed aside. This is most unfortunate because its practice can greatly enhance the student's skill in jyu-kumite and consequently, actual combat. This is formally known as jyu-ippon kumite (freestyle one-step practice fighting).

Back in the 1950's, 60's, and 70's, Westerners who ventured to Japan to enhance their skill in, and knowledge of, karate were amazed at how easily their Japanese counterparts were able to trounce them when they engaged in jyu-kumite. What were the Japanese doing differently in their training? The answer is relatively simple;freestyle one-step was practiced very regularly in the Japanese dojos.

When karate was first introduced to the West by teachers from the Orient, it was discovered that Westerners weren't particularly interested in kata (they didn't understand it at all) and their only reason for training in sanbon and ippon kumite was to learn how to apply the various techniques. Beyond that, they simply weren't interested. They wanted to learn how to FIGHT and if their current instrucgtor wanted to waste their time practicing fancy katas and basic training exercises, they'd leave the school and find someone else.

To avoid losing too many students, teachers stripped down their training regimens so that students could engage in freestyle sparring at a fairly early stage. Freestyle one-step was one of the things that was tossed out the window. What a pity!

It has been said that jyu-ippon kumite is the “bridge” between formal three and one-step practice fighting and freestyle practice fighting. This is true enough but I maintain that freestyle one-step fighting is a special training exercise unto itself and promotes the development of supreme fighting skills. In all the many years that I have taught martial arts, I have emphasized regular and vigorous practice of this training method. Students learn to respond instantly to an attack and apply their classical techniques almost as if they were engaged in kata practice.

There are several different ways of practicing freestyle one-step and they are thoroughly outlined in my third book, “MARTIAL MANEUVERS.” If you don't yet have a copy, save up for your lunch money and purchase one. However, I will attempt to briefly outline the basic methods of practice here.

Jyu-ippon kumite does not necessarily begin as if the participants are about to engage in jyu-kumite. They exchange bows and then assume their favored pre-fighting posture (or, “on guard”). It is the attacker's job to execute his single attacking technique to the best of his ability while also trying to score on his partner. He is permitted to strike whenever he wishes to do so and may use either hand or foot (depending upon the nature of the attacking technique, which is agreed upon prior to practice). He must strive to perform a flawless technique with proper timing and distance. Once he executes his technique, he should “freeze” momentarily. He mustn't make any attempt to defend himself against his partner's defensive technique.

The receiver must not attempt to strike the attacker until an attack is imminent or being delivered. When the attack occurs, he must respond instantly, without the slightest hesitation. And he must do his best to execute a textbook-perfect technique from a stable platform (stance) with perfect distance, timing, and power.

• Attack Fixed, Defense Fixed

In this beginning method, both the attack and defense are “fixed” (prearranged). This is much like ippon kumite except that both participants are free to move about as they wish and the Receiver does not know when the attack will occur. Until students can perform this basic practice method skillfully, they should not attempt to proceed any further.

• Attack Fixed, Defense Unfixed

In this more advanced method, the attack remains fixed but the receiver is free to respond with a maneuver and technique of his choice. Again, both participants must strive for perfect technique. If the receiver's distance, timing, or power is bad, it is counted as a “miss.”

• Attack Unfixed, Defense Unfixed

This advanced practice routine allows both participants to use a technique of their own choosing. However, the requirements are the same as previously; both persons must strive to execute flawless a technique. This method of practice has actually been turned into a form of sport, which, in my opinion, is much more demanding and difficult than the usual jyu-kumite form of competition.

You can easily see how this method of training actually bridges the gap between kata and jyu-kumite. It can also be employed by those who practice grappling arts such as shuai-jiao, judo, or aikido. The keys to successful use of this method are endeavoring to execute perfect technique and frequent, regular practice. If students will engage in this training routine on a regular basis, they will soon notice a substantial difference in their level of fighting expertise!

Everything You Need To Know...

 by Phillip Starr

  Some years ago there was book written which was entitled, "Everything I Ever Needed To Know About Life I Learned In Kindergarten." It was a beautiful little book and it held true to its title. The author spoke of learning about things like courtesy and consideration, sharing with others, and my favorite part - milk and cookies followed by a nap.

     Many years ago at the First National Yiliquan Seminar, I made a statement which, I think, came as something of a surprise to many participants - but only because they'd never thought about it.  I said that the whole core of the system (and probably most martial disciplines) is taught in the period we know as "basic training." As we all took time to think about that statement, we all realized how true it is.

     This statement doesn't indicate that we necessarily master the many things we learn as beginners; rather, it means simply that we are told about them, shown how to perform them, and encouraged to practice them every day.

    Which most students don't.

     Thus, the "mysteries" of the art remain as mysteries because so few martial arts enthusiasts neglect their daily practice and fail to look deeply into the art.  But consider what is shown to beginning students of Yiliquan (and those of you who practice another martial form can list the "core" items that are taught to beginners in your respective arts):

* Courtesy
* Basic Techniques (The most basic techniques upon which all other techniques are  
   built.)
* Basic Body Actions and Body Mechanics (which provide power to the basic 
   techniques)
* Proper Breathing (provides power to the techniques and enhances overall balance)
* Basic Stances (how to stand in a balanced manner)
* Basic Stepping Methods (footwork - how to move from one stance to another)
* Moving From One-Point
* How To Fall (breakfalls - there's more to this than meets the eye)
* Fundamentals of qigong (4 Principles and basic exercises)

     You'll notice that the items listed above are all interrelated; they "dovetail" into each other although a beginner cannot see how this is possible. Senior practitioners will immediately notice the relationships between these items.

     It's obviously way too much for anyone to thoroughly learn in a short time. In fact, this material will require years of regular and rigorous practice. And almost everything that is taught to the student after this stage is just frosting; training that promotes a deeper understanding of the items on this basic list and fosters the development of real skill.

     As students progress through the system and learn more complex material they often lose sight of the basic material they were shown as novices. What they fail to understand is that what they learned as a beginner must be applied to everything they learn from that point on.

     They must learn how to apply these things to their forms which become increasingly complex. They have to learn to apply them when they practice formal Three and One Step Fight, Freestyle One-Step, Freestyle Sparring (!!!), Self-Defense, Weapons Forms, and so on.

     For instance, take a minute and run through one of your forms. When you've finished go back and see if you used the correct form of breathing. Were you moving from your One-Point? Were your body actions correct? And bear in mind that you must practice each form until it can be executed perfectly without having to check each of these items!

     That kind of skill can't be developed overnight. It can't be developed through haphazard practice, either.

     Senior martial arts practitioners don't possess any secret knowledge. They don't practice highly advanced, secret techniques. Instead, they simply practice the basics. Every. Day. Everything they really needed to know about their respective martial disciplines they probably learned from their teachers in the earliest stages of training. They've simply learned how to fit everything together.

     One of my senior students and I attended an iaido (the art of drawing and cutting with the Japanese sword) tournament and testing in Council Bluffs, Iowa. I was told that it was probably the largest such event in the entire United States that year! Anyway, during the examinations (which were held for all grades up to and including 6th dan) I noticed that ALL EXAMINEES were made to perform the most basic iaido kata known simply as "Mae" (meaning "Forward, Front").  Without going into a lot of detail about the minutae of this particular kata, it begins in a kneeling position. The practitioner comes up to one knee and draws the sword in a horizontal cut with one hand. The sword is then brought back, gripped with both hands, and an overhead cut is executed. The swordsman then rises to his/her feet, performs a blood shake (to shake imaginary blood from the blade) before re-sheathing it.

     It sounds simple enough to do and by the time an iaido student reaches the stage of sankyu or so, he or she can perform it with considerable skill. But consider...someone testing for 5th or 6th dan is also required to do it. Such a person has put 25 years or more in training! You'd think they'd have it right by that time, wouldn't you?

     Sure. They can do it correctly. But they have to do it MORE correctly than someone of a lower grade. All of the items they learned as beginners have to become an integral part of their movement and technique without conscious effort. IT must become them and THEY must become it.

     Moreover, the essence of all other techniques and kata are contained within this first, basic kata. Once this one is truly mastered, so mastery of the others follows easily.

     Everything you really need to know about your martial art, you learned in kindergarten...